Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Hello Terry, “My dad has end stage renal disease and is on dialysis. He has a great deal of pain, and the only thing that works for him without making him confused and groggy is the curcumin you have mentioned in other articles—the one with the super absorption. I think it is combined with boswellia, DLPA and nattokinase, too. Anyway, would these herbs have a great deal of phosphorus in them? The doctor said he can’t have food high in phosphorus. I would hate to have to take away the one thing that is helping his pain!!!” —Rachel R., Louisville, KY A. Dear Rachel, First, with such a serious illness, you should discuss this with your father’s healthcare practitioner to make sure there is no specific reason why he cannot use these herbs. I am not aware of any, but I am not a doctor! That said, you are right–phosphorus is a mineral that dialysis patients must limit, because it can accumulate in the body, since the kidneys are no longer functioning. Kidney patients need to avoid phosphorous in certain foods and drinks (especially milk, cola, cheese, processed meats, and others) because the content can be very high and kidney patients do not do well with a build-up of certain materials in the blood stream. If there is any trace of phosphorous in these herbs, the amount would be insignificant on a dietary basis. Good luck, and please convey my wishes for health to your father. Terry